FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It is a short chapter this time. I've had a lot going on this week. I'll try to make up for it with the upcoming battles.

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"They sure have been gone a while," said Katherine, pouting as she watched the next contestant rise to the stage. She was upset that she didn't get to go with Zack, but he decided that it would be best if she and Fara stayed behind just in case Celia came back before he did. "Do you think that Master found her alright?"

"I don't doubt that," replied Fara, her nine white tails waving like an ambient metronome in the fluorescent lighting as she looked on with Katherine. "Master Zack is a powerful male, and nothing short of a cataclysm would stop him from helping someone in need. That is why I can respect him."

The absol sighed, nodding at the ninetales' words. "Yeah, I suppose so. I've just been getting this really bad feeling lately; the same kind that I get when a really big storm is coming. Only this time it isn't so much a rain storm so much as it is... something else."

Fara cocked her head, "A storm of fate, perhaps?"

Looking curiously to her nine-tailed companion, Katherine raised a brow. "'Storm of fate'?"

"Yes, a monumental event that approaches which you can do nothing about. You either seek shelter from it or stand outside and face it."

A row of white teeth glittered underneath the absol's lips as she smiled, "Well, if Master decides to meet it head on, then you'll find me standing in the rain with him. I wouldn't let a maelstrom keep us apart."

Fara nodded slowly as Kat turned back to the TV, giggling as she noticed that each and every contestant after Zack seemed to nervously choke during the middle of their routine. The ninetales watched her with admiration, an errant blue spark falling from her fur as her tails curled around her front paws.

*And your strength is why I can respect you, Katherine.*

* * *

Sand and wind ripped around me as I flew Celia over Mauville, circling the city's border with a large grin spreading my lips. I was having the most amazing time of my life! I had just spent what must have been a fair thirty minutes conversing with my flygon as she responded with the same excitement to each of my questions.

"So, then he told you I was in the cliff?"

"Yes," replied my Pokemon, her soft, timid voice almost shouting over the singing of her wings. "After that, he left and I dug underground to save you. I'm so sorry about your hat, Master." She sounded almost exactly how I imagined she would, though I couldn't place how I was able to hear it in the first place. The movement of her mouth did not match up with the words that she said; I wasn't even sure I was hearing her. I just seemed to know what she was saying. Perhaps my mind had made up a voice for her to simply make it easier to comprehend, but I couldn't be sure.

"Don't worry about it; it makes a good souvenir," I laughed, trying to keep Celia from slipping into another spiral of embarrassment as I stroked the sandy scales of her neck. We had been talking ever since we made love, and she had mentioned meeting Amun on top of the cliff and his proposal. I had nodded, because the other flygon was right; I wouldn't, I couldn't force her to battle if she refused, and I would be in deep trouble legally if I tried to compete with a pregnant Pokemon. Then she mentioned the man she had met, and told me everything she told him. I was shocked to hear about Celia telling a stranger about me, Katherine, and Fara's 'adventures', but the man had apparently been accepting and even encouraging about the whole thing.

We had taken flight from the cave soon after, the fresh air mixed with her beach-like scent and the feeling of her small, yet powerful muscles easily supporting my weight was like a personal heaven for me. "So," I finally said after a few minutes of quiet flying. "How are you feeling?"

"Great!" I don't think I would have needed a mental translation of what that happy shout meant. "I've never felt so... perfect! This must be how Katherine feels!"

I turned her as we reached the next corner of the city, passing over the contest arena and looking down to see if my friends were still waiting for my return. I knew I would have to return before they declared the finalists so that I could give my flygon a quick Pokemon Center Revitalizer treatment before her first match, but for now I simply wanted to fly with Celia. I was learning so much more about her, and yet I felt as though I knew it all already.

*Maybe that's why I am able to understand her now. I wonder if I can understand the rest of my Pokemon like this?*

"I can't wait to tell everyone," said Celia, her soft, yet excited voice bouncing around my head not unlike my telepathic conversations with Fara. "Angel will be really excited; and-"

I interrupted her, "How about we keep it a secret?"

My flygon's voice went from excited to confused. "Huh? Why, Master?"

"I don't know, but I've always wanted to know what Pokemon talk about when they don't think humans can understand them. If they knew I knew what they were saying, then they may censor themselves a bit. So let's surprise them later, alright?"

I heard Celia laugh; something I would have never expected from my timid flygon. She was still the same Pokemon, but I could tell that our mating had given her something, whether it was her mind rewarding her for fulfilling her body's need, or just being with me, knowing that I cared so deeply for her that I would fulfill that need.

"Master?" Celia woke me from my contemplations with a word, making me jerk my attention towards her. "Yes, Celia?"

"Is... is it okay if we land soon," she asked, her timid voice like a child asking her father if she could have some ice cream. "I mean, we don't have to, but... my wings are getting a little tired."

I stroked her sandy neck gently, watching her arch her head backwards. I had noticed the singing of her wings was getting lower, and I decided that it would be best if we did touch down soon. "Of course, and don't be afraid to ask me to do anything ever again, alright? I want you to use this bond we have as much as possible."

"Yes, sir! And... um..."

"Hm? Come on, girl, you can say it."

Celia gulped as we began descending on the contest site, Tameri and May looking up at us, all smiles at our return. "Th... Thank you, Master. For what you did... I..."

"You don't have to do anything," I said, stroking the smooth, chitin-like scales of her head. "Just remember that I'm here for you. If you have a problem, if you need anything, you don't have an excuse not to come to me anymore."

My leg slid off of my flygon's sandy, scaly body as I leapt from her back, her eyes peering into mine from behind her sand shields. She was happy, and that's all that I needed to be happy too. Even the fact that I could hear what she was saying didn't mean nearly as much to me as seeing her smile. She landed beside me, and I put my arm around her neck as May and Tameri approached.

The professor's daughter took one look at my sandy, dirty clothes and dented hat and her eyes widened. "Are you alright? You look like you just crawled out of the ground."

I waved my other hand at May, shaking my head. "No, I found Celia and decided to get some extra flying in before her match."

May crossed her arms. "You seem pretty confident. How do you know that you were even selected as a finalist?"

I just looked at her and smiled. A moment later, she sighed. "Yeah, there really isn't a doubt at this point. After watching you and Tameri perform, everyone else seemed too nervous. I almost think it's not fair that you two went so early; these guys didn't have a chance!"

"Yeah," I replied, understanding what she meant. "But look on the bright side: at least now they know that they need to train harder to get to our level."

Celia was simply staring at Tameri's belt in the same way an alcoholic stares at a bottle of liquor. I felt that she was testing herself, seeing if she still had those urges to mate with her potential enemy. After a while, she smiled, and I could tell that she had beaten her body at its own game. I was glad for her, patting her neck as May said something about me needing to take a bath and change clothes before the Practicality contests start.

"First," I said, pulling Celia's pokeball capsule from my belt. "I think someone deserves a good rest." My flygon folded her wings and closed her eyes, smiling as she wagged her tail appreciatively. "Thank you, Master," she said as I returned her to her ball, her green, draconic form fading into the red beam of the capsule's recall function. I kissed the ball before pressing the shrink button, attaching the device to my belt before walking past my friends. I had two Pokemon that needed some tender, loving care from the local nurses down at the Pokemon center.

As I passed Tameri, I felt her strong hand rest on my shoulder. I stopped, standing still for a few seconds before looking up at her. The older woman's dark eyes met mine for a moment as she seemed to peer into my soul. My smile never left my lips, and after a moment she took on the same visage, her bronze cheeks rising as her lips curled into a smirk. She patted my shoulder gently before stepping inside, making May curious. "What was that all about?"

I shrugged off the question on the outside, but on the inside I began contemplating it myself. Was Tameri psychic? Did I have something on my face?

*I think I'll have that shower after all...* I thought, stepping into the contestant waiting room once more. Several trainers still had their Pokemon out, congratulating them and giving them treats for a job well done. When the Pokemon went to reply, however, I noticed that it was in their language. I couldn't understand them like I did Celia. I started thinking about it, then noticed Fara and Katherine chatting about something. Katherine's voice came in loud and clear in the same voice she uses to speak in the human tongue: "I don't know, I don't really NEED a male, but I do need Master. It's just good fortune that he turned out to be the strongest male of them all."

I saw Fara nod and open her mouth, her voice much like the telepathic calls that resonate when she must contact me. "I understand... so you don't feel like you have to have a male to be happy?"

"Nope," replied the absol, flicking her blade-like tail as she drummed her claws on the seat of the bench her head rested on. "I just want Master because... well, I love him. He's put up with me, made me stronger, and even proved his love for me in so many ways. Sometimes I wish he was a Pokemon, so we could just make ourselves a den and just fuck like nidorans until we have a home full of little absols. Who knows; maybe after we take the champion title from this Seth guy, we could all go do just that! I'm sure if we tried hard enough, something is bound to happen to one of us."

I smiled; the idea was oddly appealing to me. Throwing off my civilization and spending the rest of my days with those I love had a nice ring to it. I saw my ninetales' red eyes glance in my direction and I quickly changed my thoughts: something about boobs; that's usually the norm. I couldn't have her discovering my new little ability any time soon, and I had learned how to resist psychics from my father. Fara's ghostly voice snaked its way into my head, welcoming me as Katherine followed her gaze. "Welcome, master Zack. I trust all went well?"

I nodded and stepped forward, almost immediately being greeted by a white, fuzzy hug around my waist. Katherine let out a cry that I understood, not that she realized it. "Master! I'm glad you're okay!"

"It's good to see you too, Kat," I replied, amusing the gathering crowd. Tameri must have already told them it was okay, because I didn't get any prying questions from the other contestants. I'm sure some were hoping that I would have dropped out by now, but it would take more than circumstance to stop Zack Stone.

I had to sit down due to Katherine's immense strength pulling me to the ground. As soon as I was eye level with my absol, she began licking me around my cheeks and mouth. Her happy little tongue grazed my lips innocently a few times, making her cock her head at the sudden, new addition to my usual flavor. It took her a bit, but soon she put her arms around my neck and leaned in, whispering into my ear in my language.

"I'm glad for her, too."

* * *

The ceremony where the winners are declared wasn't as surprising as one would expect. Tameri and I easily slid into the top two spots, followed by the haryama and its trainer Cory and someone named Rebecca and her meowth. I sincerely hoped she had a stronger, more competitive Pokemon tucked away.

Many people were heading off to the Mauville Game Corner to spend their complementary tokens as I made my way to the Pokemon Center, having recalled all of my Pokemon so I didn't lose them in the crowd. Trent was still enjoying the vacation in his own way, and so long as my Pokenav read that he was fine and dandy, I didn't worry about him.

Once I was in the center, I gave the nurse my pokeballs and my ID and asked her to have my team ready within a few hours. She nodded, gave me a room key in exchange for my ID, placed my pokeballs on the revitalizer, and was pressing a few buttons when I walked off to the trainer domiciles. I passed the trainer meeting room, the trading station, the computer labs, and eventually came to the small hallway that housed the trainers.

I entered the room that had the same number on the room key, sighing as I took off my backpack, making sure to remove the pouch that I keep my toiletries in. I was beat; my hand still tingled from my routine and my muscles ached from climbing upwards through the cliff to get to Celia. My head was also sore, and my eyes felt as though they were dry. I felt like I could sleep for days, but in a few hours I had to take my flygon to the second arena. It was a shame that Kat wouldn't be able to see me compete in person due to the "Helping Hand" rules, but I knew she would be cheering me on from the viewing area.

I stretched and took a look at my surroundings, smiling when I saw the bathroom door. I took off my dirty jacket and shirt, laughing at my filthy form as I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. My white hair was a mess; my body was covered in dirt, sand, and the scent of my flygon's estrus. I was glad I didn't run into any bug types while I was heading here...

Washing my face in the warm water from the sink, I saw tiny, ivory-colored hairs beginning to sprout from my chin, cheeks, and upper lip. "Ah, I think I'm too young for a white beard," I said to no one, pulling a razor and a small can of shaving cream from the yellow pouch.

My hand brushed past my red hair dye. I considered throwing it away, to forsake the old me, but shook the thought out of my head. I chose this color to match my sensei's, and I thought it looked good on me, like it was natural. Besides, I never knew when I would need red dye. Maybe some day I'll want to go back to being normal!

I finished shaving, stripped, and got into the shower. I half expected for someone to burst through the door, but was pleasantly surprised when I was able to actually clean myself without consequence. The sand and dirt swirled down the drain as the muscle-soothing hot water slid off my body. I was able to exit the bathroom feeling relatively refreshed, putting on my spare set of clothes: a pair of blue jeans, a black coat with a red-and-grey pokeball motif, and a headband to match it, both having 'Devon' emblazoned across the black edges. I had worn these before I got my emerald green outfit, and was glad they still fit me, especially the jacket, which served as my meal-ticket during televised events when I advertised my father's company.

With one last look into the past through the reflective sheen of the mirror, I left the room and headed out. There was something I wanted to try.

* * *

May hugged her new treecko doll; those chumps at the card table didn't stand a chance against her card-counting and odds-calculating skills.

"Aren't you too old for dolls, little one?"

The young woman turned to see Tameri looking down over her; a playful smile on her face as her crossed arms lifted her already partially exposed breasts up slightly. May smiled back at her, feeling more comfortable around such a famous woman after being around her for some time. "You're never too old for dolls, Ms. Tameri. I would have gotten a gift for Zack, but they didn't have any absols here."

"So," said the bronze beauty, giggling at May's words. "Hasani has a collection of toys, too?"

"Not yet, but I know he collects the Trainer card game. We used to play it constantly when we were younger, but he never seemed to get the strategy down. I tried to teach him, and he got good enough to predict my next move, but he never had the right cards on him."

Tameri smiled, "Isn't Trainer for people too young to officially battle with Pokemon? How long have you known Hasani?"

"Since he first started off training," she said, holding up her treecko plushie slightly. "I gave him Trent and hung out with him for a while before my research pulled me away. Then we've met up off an on the road occasionally."

"So, would you say you two were close?"

May's smiling visage faded to one of surprise at the odd question, "Uh! Hmm... Well, we are just close friends now. Besides, he has his hands full with other women."

May was shocked to hear that come out of her mouth; she let a little bit of anger loosen her lips and made Zack sound like a major womanizer. Well, he was a little bit of one, but May didn't think she should go around spreading things like that about him. However, Tameri simply chuckled, saying "That sounds like Hasani to me. This young teen approached me in the hot springs and made remarks about my 'exotic beauty'. I was a bit surprised to learn all he and his Pokemon had done against that Team Aqua."

"Yeah," May nodded, thankful Tameri didn't pry into her previous comment too much. A moment later, the bronze mistress asked "Do you know if he has done anything against Team Magma?" May thought about it, "I don't think so. Zack is more or less a soldier of fortune; he will do what he can to protect himself and others when it's possible. Magma isn't that active against his affairs or the well being of others, so I don't think Zack has a problem with them. There was one time they and Aqua tried to capture an absol for their own gain, and Zack fought them off and saved it. I think that's the absol he's using now, Katherine."

"That was him?" Tameri seemed oddly surprised, but coughed into her hand and shook her head. "I had heard about that." She placed her other hand on May's shoulder, smiling. "I hope I get a chance to meet him in battle today, to judge how far the young master has grown for myself."

May nodded. She knew Zack would show her just how powerful he had become; she didn't need to say anything. However, as Tameri left, the professor's daughter couldn't help but wonder how she had known about Zack's battle for Katherine. After all, she only knew about it because Zack had told her directly! Her eyes wandered to the clock, and she realized that it was nearly time for the practicality shows to start! Making sure she had her remaining coins safely tucked into her case, she put it in her bag and stepped out, cradling her new plush treecko and wearing a big smile.

* * *

"I'm impressed," said Bastilla, flicking an errant piece of dirt from her claw, looking to the rather triumphant Trent before her. "You've all but mastered the human language in the span of a day."

The sceptile folded his great arms across his chest and closed his eyes, nodding. "Not only is vigorous training a specialty of mine," he said with a deep, yet lowly hissing voice. "I also have the right motivation. And an extraordinary teacher."

"You flatter me," said the sneasel, putting a cold paw on Trent's powerful legs. "You were the one doing all the work. I simply showed you the road and watched you walk along it."

With a hiss-like sigh at the chilled touch of the ice Pokemon, Trent looked to the weasel and smiled. "I've been meaning to ask you why you helped me. I'm not ungrateful, simply curious."

Bastilla nodded, taking a few steps away from the large gecko and looking out towards the town. "I have my reasons. Or rather, I had them. It's definitely too complicated to explain now, but perhaps later..."

"So it went beyond getting May to stay silent," Trent asked, his s's occasionally hissing accidentally from his lips. The black weasel turned back to the great green giant. "Yes, but I think that will be enough for now. You're a good male, Trent; she'll do well to have you. Any female would."

The sceptile smiled sincerely. "I get it from my master."

Those words perked up a realization to Trent. He had one more thing he had to do before he could woo May.

"I'll have to ask him."

Bastilla cocked her ebony brow, tilting her head in a curious fashion. "Hm? Ask who what?"

"My master; I need to ask his permission to court May."

"What?" The sneasel took a step back in surprise. "Why bother with that?"

"It's the honorable thing to do," answered the sceptile, taking a breath. "As far as I know, my master is her current mate. Considering how his priorities now lie with his alpha female Katherine, I do not believe he will object."

Bastilla grinned. "My, that's noble of you."

"I wouldn't dare violate the trust between a trainer and his Pokemon, and I have to ensure that Zack no longer has feelings for May before I can move in. I can't afford to sabotage our training with awkwardness with the tournament not long away."

With a nod, the sneasel understood her pupil. "You truly are a champion's Pokemon."

"Not yet," admitted the great beast, looking up to the sky. A clean, odorless breeze ruffled the branches of his leafy tail as it pushed the clouds above on an endless journey across the darkening heavens. Trent knew he was powerful, that nothing has ever stood in his way. He glanced down to the gym he had conquered with his master, grinning as images of that great battle flashed through his mind.

Lightning was dancing everywhere, creating neon webs of electricity as the old gym leader sent wave after wave of attacks after them both. As a grovyle, Trent was able to dodge the assault by bounding from the electrified poles, each touch sending a shiver of electric pain through his body, but nothing compared to what would have happened had he been struck by the dangerous bolts.

With each leap he moved in, getting closer and closer to the manectric Wattson was using. He was in striking distance, and the leader had ordered a desperation move: Shockwave. Trent was struck, but cut through the dome of lightning, slicing into the blue-and-yellow wolf with a taste of the creature's own electricity. It fell, defeated, and he and Zack were declared the victors. The badge was issued, Zack's trainer ID was updated, and, after a brief rest at the Pokemon Center, they were both hiking northward, basking in their triumph.

The sceptile grinned, returning his gaze upwards. His power was great, but he knew that he was still a great ways away from being strong enough to take down his old friend: the jittery, easily frightened little torchic that had grown so powerful in the hands of Seth. While Zack slept in on weekends, Trent stayed up late to watch the champion's matches. However, despite his rival's power, despite the type difference, even despite the differing skill levels of their trainers, Trent knew that he could... he will defeat Ares.

"But," said the sceptile, breaking the short silence that had stemmed from his flashback as his neck craned to the sneasel, the little black beauty turning her attention back to him, her ruby eyes looking up to him as an expression of curiosity softened her dark-type features.

"I will be soon."

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I'd like to take this opportunity to ask my readers to ask me some questions. I know it's too early for some sort of "tell-all" interview sort of thing, but I'd like to know what you guys are currently curious/paying attention to so I know what to write/write around. It'll help me get the next chapter out more if I knew what you guys were interested in and what you want to see.

Not only that, but I like seeing what people are curious about in the Pokemon world. For instance: why does a charmander have a flame on its tail? Why do mammal Poke's lay eggs? Things of that nature. If I can't fit the answer into the story, I'll put it in my "Dr. Matt Investigates" story set on AGNPH.

I appreciate any participation, and now I'm off to find a rather... adult place where I can RP a human Pokemon trainer. Why?

Why not?

Thank you for playing,

Matt, the Z-Byte